#MandelaDay2020: South Sudan unveils Nelson Mandela and Dr. John Garang Mural
“Nelson Mandela once said; ‘what counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived, it’s what difference we have made in the lives of others that will determine the significance of the lives we lead.’
By Sheila Ponnie
On the eve of the Mandela Day commemorated everyday of July 18, youth led organizations organized various activities to serve the South Sudanese citizens as they celebrate the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela as a global peacemaker.
The most remarkable was the unveiling of a Mandela and Garang Mural painted at the John Garang International school in Kololo hosted by Vice President for gender Cluster and Garang’s widow Rebecca Nyandeng.
While gracing over the event Nyandeng compared Nelson Mandela to her later husband Dr. John Garang, the founding leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) and urged citizens to emulate the two leaders since they have similarities in the way they lived.
Mandela and Garang met in Cape Town, South Africa in August 1997. She says she does not know what Madiba and Garang discussed that day, but later Garang named a rebellion after Nelson Mandela in respect for the African Icon’s peaceful kind of leadership.
“I am not certain exactly what they discussed in that room on that day,” referring to 1997’s meeting between Garang and Mandela in South Africa, “But on this day at this venue, I have no doubt that the rebel leader and the peacemaker have united once again to watch over us as we celebrate and emulate their powerful legacies.” Nyandeng added.
The 2019 Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni distributed facemasks, hand sanitizers and hand wash buckets in Gumbo Sherikat Saturday to vulnerable people like the elderly and the sick.
Kiden Zaida Ibrahim, a 2019 Mandela Washington Fellowship alumni, a program of the US State department that sponsors young African leaders to study in an American institution of higher learning for six weeks, told The Insider that Nelson Mandela was an inspiring leader to her because his legacy makes her contribute positively to the development of her country.
She said most youth who are used to instigate violence in South Sudan would be more useful if they emulated Mandela and do what they can to promote peaceful co-existence of all communities in South Sudan.
“Mandela was a freedom fighter and he fought for people’ rights, for equality, for integrity and for accountability. that’s what we want in our country.”
Mandela fought against the apartheid policy and wanted peace for his people, she says South Sudan needs the same.
“We may not have apartheid policy, but we have divisions of all sorts in the country and we need peace.” Zaida said.
The Mandela Day is commemorated every year on July 18th to remember his life and celebrate his achievements.
The most respected African leader’s life achievements can be compared to Dr. John Garang de Mabior’s life, the Vice President for gender cluster has said.
“I have also noted many similarities between the two leaders; both were born in the countryside; both were brought up in the cattle camp, both were underestimated and marginalized in schools and both drew strength from their struggle,” Rebecca said.
“Nelson Mandela once said, and I quote; ‘what counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived, it’s what difference we have made in the lives of others that will determine the significance of the lives we lead.’ For me as a revolutionary who was side by side to Dr. John, I feel like the old man is our father who has inspired us, and we know the struggle how had and difficult it is, but when you are consistent with your message and you believe in God, you believe in yourself and you believe in what you are doing, by the end of the day you win.” Nyandeng said.
Gordon Yekelo, Ambassador of South Africa to South Sudan said Nelson Mandela’s celebration in the country should be used to show commitment and free detection for saving lives, peace, security and development.
“As we say that, we reflect on the fact that we are now five month in to the Pre-Translational Period and we would like to make a call to all the leaders of South Sudan to further demonstrate political will and implement the provisions of the Revitalized Agreement with sense of Agency,” he said.
He also reminded youth in South Sudan that the late Nelson Mandela Madiba would have told them that it is upon them to make the country progress.
Describing late Mandela, Joram Biswaro, the African Union Mission and Ambassador to South Sudan said that Nelson Mandela was a true Pan-Africanist who dedicated himself in removing racism and restoring dignity to humanity.”
Biswaro said emulating Mandela’s legacy of turning an enemy into a partner to work with was worth practicing by African leaders whose citizens were suffering due to perpetuated conflict.
“Make peace with your enemy. One should work with that enemy and your enemy becomes your partner, he added.
Mandela who died in December 2013 at the age of 95, was the first elected President of South Africa who portrayed the true democracy in Africa. While, Dr. John Garang, the first President of the Southern Sudan died in an helicopter crush in July 30th, 2005, a month following the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) with the Khartoum government that laid the foundation for the separation of the South from North Sudan in a referendum in 2011.
Recent Comments